BIG STONE GAP – A community need to link Southwest Virginia residents with health services has spurred a new college program.
Mountain Empire Community College’s Community Health Worker certificate program is accepting applications for the fall 2025 semester, according to program lead administrator Dr. Emily Bowen.
“Community health workers serve as a liaison between patients and the services they may need,” said Bowen, who also directs the college’s dental assistant program. “They can help connect the dots to getting medical specialists, help with medications and other health services.”
The MECC program is the first of its kind in Virginia, said Bowen, and offers an entry into public health professions for medical professionals, educators, social workers and others involved in public service.
The CHW program is funded through UVA Wise’s Health Appalachia Institute, and Bowen said Ballad Health and the Virginia Department of Health have committed to provide internships required under the curriculum.
Bowen said community health workers have been an important part of local health departments, private health care organizations and community agencies like Mountain Empire Older Citizens as they serve aging or lower-income residents. Public health education relies on CHWs, she added.
“Community health workers are especially important in rural areas where transportation is a concern,” said LENOWISCO Health Department Director Reisa Sloce – also a member of the MECC program’s advisory board. “They can reach parts of the population that may not have easy access to doctors.”
“Not everybody has access to social media or broadband in Southwest Virginia, and community health workers help bridge the gap in getting health information out to the public,” Sloce said. ”They are an invaluable resource for the community and region.”
The MECC program can offer both a stand-alone certificate or an additional certification to existing educational or professional qualifications, Bowen added.
“If you have an interest in working with the public, this program equips students with more resources for our community and patients in the region,” Bowen said.
The 27-credit MECC program can be completed in two semesters, said Bowen. Students will take coursework in various public health and wellness topics, nutrition and communication skills along with an internship.
The certificate and completion of a year’s job experience will allow program graduates to take the Virginia community health worker certification exam.
Sloce said the CHW program also offers high school and college graduates a way to remain in Southwest Virginia.
“We want to keep our people in Southwest Virginia,” Sloce said, “and the (CHW) program provides opportunities for job placement. The need for CHWs is there and growing.”
Online:
MECC — http://catalog.mecc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=5&poid=580&returnto=267